<p>hey syn, wsup man, I guess I'll try and answer your questions since everyone else seems pretty busy, and I can't really sleep right now (2 30 am in jersey lol)..</p>
<p>Financial Aid Questions: Okay well, let's do an example shall we? Say I apply to Johns Hopkins University Early decision, and I get my acceptance letter december 15th. On the letter, all it will say is my admittance, nothing about financial aid. In jan, i will have to fill out a form, the FAFSA form, which is a LONG form that my parents and I will have to fill out. After I'm done with that, I'll send it in, and the government will tell JHU how much money it is expected of my to contribute to the tuition every year (EFC). There are some makeshift EFC calculators found on websites like Princeton Review, I did mine and it says I'll probably end up paying 5 grand a year, that can be paid in monthly installments. After that, the college will decide how much money they will give in terms of grants and scholarships which is FREE money. Then they will give you work-study money (you work, get money). Finally, there's the loans, which will most likely be the majority of your payments. You may end up getting 20k in loans every year. This is usually paid off as a student loan, and you have usually 8 years after you graduate college to pay off these loans. That's basically how the finance situation works. Moreover, in terms of "down payment" in the spring, all you have to pay is the matriculation fee (which is usually $500 bucks). I think that basically clears up the finance. Also, all top tier colleges are need-blind in admissions, meaning two things, first of all they DO NOT consider you being lower class/middle class/upper class in admissions, meaning whether you end up paying a dollar or 20k dollars, it won't matter in their decision to accept you. (It will matter in how much you're going to have to pay in terms of FASFA, and going by your dad's income, you won't have to pay too much). </p>
<p>SAT IIs: I'd say take the french, Math IIc, drop the literature and take a Science, either chemistry biology or physics, whichever one you can study for fastest and are strongest at. You'll b more than prepared if you do those 3 in terms of SAT IIs</p>
<p>Recommendations: Just go up to 2 or 3 Junior year teachers and politely ask them if they could write a recommendation for college. And tell them your major and maybe a little paper of your acheivments. Furthermore, ANYONE that knows (coach, advisor, teacher, professor, priest) you can write your recommendation, but try to keep it to your teachers. And don't get more than 3.</p>
<p>Your Current State: Don't get nervous bro, your not late at all, most people won't start thinking of applications until december if they're not doing early decision, so don't freak out, you're actually ahead of the game as of now, you have time.</p>
<p>In terms of what you have described yourself as, and your personality/interests. I'd say check out Cornell University, it seems to fit you. Oh right, and your questions about Cornell's science, Cornell is more than well-rounded, the higher average Math SAT score is seen in most schools. But yes, Cornell is good at the sciences and has great programs with it. </p>
<p>By the way, great job of the SAT I increase.</p>
<p>Hopefully this all helps, any more questions do not hesitate to ask =)</p>